Susan Schwab

Susan C. Schwab was named April 18, 2006, by President George W. Bush to be United States Trade Representative, with the Rank of Ambassador Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary. Schwab, who was serving as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, replaces Robert J. Portman, who resigned to become Director, Office of Management and Budget.

Schwab's nomination was sent to the U.S. Senate for confirmation on May 3, 2006.

According to the April 18, 2006, White House news release, "Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for the past five months, Ambassador Schwab worked tirelessly to open up new markets, and at the same time, making sure our people were treated fairly. Her trade portfolio covered several continents, and she led USTR efforts in a number of vital policy areas, including intellectual property enforcement.

"Susan also worked closely with Ambassador Portman to advance the Doha negotiations. Now she will use her experience to help complete the Doha round and create other new opportunities for American exporters.

"Ambassador Schwab started her career as an agricultural trade negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and she served our nation overseas as a trade policy officer in our embassy in Tokyo. In the 1980s, she worked as a trade specialist, and then legislative director for Senator Jack Danforth, who chaired a key Senate subcommittee on trade. In the administration of former President Bush, she led a staff of more than a thousand as Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. Susan has also served as an executive in the private sector at Motorola, and as a professional administrator at the University of Maryland."

According to her April 18, 2006, White House Personnel Announcement, "Ambassador Schwab currently serves as Deputy United States Trade Representative. Prior to this, she was the President and CEO of the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. and USM Vice Chancellor for Advancement. She also served as Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Earlier in her career, Ambassador Schwab served as Director of Corporate Business Development for Motorola, Inc. Ambassador Schwab also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service. Ambassador Schwab received her bachelor's degree from Williams College, her master's degree from Stanford University and her PhD from The George Washington University."

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * Bush's White House Staff